STUDENT MEDIA

Student Media is a student organization at the University of Evansville. Student Media utilizes design, photography, video, and sound towards experiential and academic learning in journalistic endeavors and engaging storytelling. Student Media elevates the voice of the student body and connects the campus and community to important information and points of view.

Student Media (formerly known as the Crescent Magazine) is the only organization on campus that elevates the student voice to the broad audience of University of Evansville (University) students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the Evansville metropolitan area. Student Media produces the Crescent Magazine https://crescent.evansville.edu published 3 times a semester in print and online. The production of this publication allows students from any major to volunteer and participate in creating content through an application process. We offer paid positions, and work study positions every semester as well as for credit opportunities. Art, Communications, and Writing may earn their practicum and internship credits by working with Student Media and all other majors may choose to join for elective credit. The opportunity to create engaging relevant content and disperse that content to a wide audience is a unique experience and the experiential learning environment lends itself to outstanding resume building.  

Student Media produces podcasts and broadcasts a digital radio station (Fireside Aces Radio)https://fireside.evansville.edu Student Media strives to utilize current and relevant technologies to provide hands on experience and opportunities for students to share their voice with the UE community. The use of video, photography, sound, web, print, and social media are constantly evolving, and Student Media allows select UE students to master the skills necessary to develop high quality engaging content using the same equipment and academic principles that will be used in their future careers. In the fall of 2023 and spring of 2024 60 students contributed and developed content for Student Media producing 6 print and online issues of the Crescent Magazine, engaging social media content, 12 podcasts, and developed a new digital radio station. Student Media is becoming the hub of student communication and design from broadcasting to motion graphics to sound design, Student Media offers unique hands on experiential and academic opportunities.

STUDENT MEDIA CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I – Name

The name of this organization shall be Student Media.

ARTICLE II – Purpose

Section 1.      Student Media produces the Crescent Magazine and Fireside Aces Radio, publishes podcasts, video interviews, documents and reports through multimedia discipline including but not limited to: photography, video, sound, social media, web sites, print publications, and digital radio. The Crescent Magazine is a monthly student magazine published six times during the academic year by and for the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the University. Since it receives funding through a subscription fee paid by the Student Government Association on behalf of students, it is distributed to the campus community free of charge.  The magazine serves as an open forum for University students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni through its editorials, columns, and letters to the editor.  With a focus on student perspective, the magazine provides coverage of campus news, features, and sports, and select local, world and general-interest items of interest to the audience.  The Crescent’s aim is to present relevant content in a fair, accurate and unbiased manner, to keep news items free of editorial comment, and to use editorial comment as a tool for informing and persuading using factual-information and opinion.

Section 2.      Mission Statement: At Student Media, our mission is to empower the University community by producing engaging and informative media content that reflects the diverse perspectives and talents of our student body. Through our various platforms, including The Crescent Magazine and Fireside Aces Radio, we strive to foster communication, creativity, and connection among students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni. Student Media is committed to providing opportunities for experiential learning, professional development, and community engagement while upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity and excellence.

Vision Statement: Our vision at Student Media is to be a dynamic and innovative hub of multimedia storytelling and communication within the University and beyond. With the launch of Fireside Aces Radio, we aim to expand our reach and impact by delivering compelling audio content that entertains, informs, and inspires our audience. By leveraging our expertise in journalism, design, photography, video, and sound, we seek to create immersive and memorable experiences that resonate with listeners and reflect the vibrancy of campus life. Student Media envisions the Crescent Magazine and Fireside Aces Radio as platforms for meaningful dialogue, community connection, and artistic expression, enriching the University experience for all.

Section 3.      Monetization Opportunities: Crescent Magazine, Fireside Aces Radio, and our podcasts present various monetization opportunities that align with our mission and vision. Through advertising sales, sponsorship agreements, and partnerships with local businesses and organizations, we can generate revenue to support the production and operation of the radio station. Any such advertising sales, sponsorship agreements, partnerships, and/or other similar arrangements may only be initiated after consultation with and approval by the Office of University Advancement.  By purchasing and maintaining industry standard equipment the experiential learning opportunities at Student Media better prepare students for the job market.

ARTICLE III – Membership

Section 1.      Membership is limited to the University’s full-time and part-time students.  Academic prerequisites and/or prior experience are required for appointment to most positions.  Guest membership may be extended to select alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators as needed at the discretion of the Student Media Advisor.

Section 2.      All requirements must meet Student Handbook policies.

Section 3.      Eligibility requirements of staff members

All potential and returning staff members must complete an application process, be interviewed, and meet academic prerequisite and/or prior experience requirements as indicated on the application and job description.

Section 4.      Expulsion of Members and Removal of a Director

Since members receive academic credit, they cannot be fired from their positions.  However, a director who is not following the duties outlined in his/her job description will receive written notification from the Student Media Advisor detailing the concerns.  If compliance does not occur, the Student Media Advisor will notify the Student Media Board of directors of the noncompliance.  Two-thirds majority vote of the Student Media Board gives the Student Media Advisor the authority to remove a director from their position.

ARTICLE IV – Directors

Section 1.      Directors

This organization shall have seven – ten directors who are responsible for the governing of Student Media.  They are as follows: Creative Director, Editing Director, Studio Director, Radio Director, Photography Director, Social Media Director, Office Director, Podcast Director, Marketing and Advertising Director.

Section 2.      Qualifications of Directors

Job descriptions are available on request and provide minimum qualifications for each position.

Section 3.      Appointment Length

Director positions are for the academic year.

Section 4.      Duties of Directors

Job descriptions are available on request and provide the duties for each director.

ARTICLE V – Appointment

Section 1.      Selection of directors is done by interview in the spring by the Student Media Advisor for the following academic year.  Current directors and upper-level supervisors may also be involved in interviewing candidates and making appointment recommendations to the Student Media Advisor, who will make the appointments for the next academic year.

ARTICLE VI – Office Hours & Meetings

Section 1.      Office Hours

Directors and upper-level supervisors have required office hours.  Hours vary depending upon position.  Other staff members have required office hours, while some others have time commitment requirements outlined in their job descriptions.

Section 2.      Meetings

Directors attend a weekly meeting and, with upper-level supervisors, attend a bi-monthly planning meeting.  This group is referred to as the Editorial Board.  When needed, directors and/or upper-level supervisors call special meetings for their respective staffs.

ARTICLE VII – Advisor(s)

Section 1.      The advisor of this organization is the Student Media Advisor. 

ARTICLE VIII – Committees

                        Not applicable

ARTICLE IX – Dues

Not applicable

ARTICLE X – Handling of Funds

Section 1.      The magazine’s on-campus funding accounts are managed by the Student Media Advisor, who is responsible for managing funds, has approval authority on expenditures in accordance with the University’s approval policy, and may be a delegate for signing documents in accordance with the University of Evansville’s contract policy.   

Section 2.      All monies collected by the organization through advertising revenue are deposited into the organization’s on-campus account.

ARTICLE XI – Amendments and Revisions

Section 1.      The Student Media Advisor will be responsible for submitting additions or changes to the Student Media Board.